‘Arsenal can put a Cech on City’s title chase’

Gunners’ goalkeeper wants team to focus on winning matches, maintaining pressure

LONDON/ MANCHESTER: Petr Cech believes Arsenal could be in contention for the Premier League title come the end of the season despite trailing leaders Manchester City by 12 points going into Wednesday's match with Huddersfield.

A win would probably still leave the Gunners well adrift of record-breaking City, with Pep Guardialo's unbeaten side hosting Southampton, but Cech — a four-time Premier League champion with Chelsea — is looking long-term.

"You have to play game by game, not think too much about what's going on around you because if you win your game then you give yourself a chance," he said. "Let's win our game and see how the others are doing. If the other teams at this moment above us keep going, keep winning, then you can't catch them. First you need to win your games and keep putting pressure on them."

Though City have left their rivals in the starting blocks, Cech believes there is still time for the situation to change drastically.

"It's only 13 games in," he said. "That's the most important thing and there’s so many points to be won. You need to carry on for 38 games and show consistency. There can be plenty of twists in the table and you see yourselves climb after two wins then have a draw and fall out of the top four pretty quick. It's packed in there and I think it will be until the end of the season."

Arsenal broke into the top four with a 1-0 win at Burnley on Sunday, although that required a controversial stoppage-time penalty that was converted by Alexis Sanchez.

Sterling sets sights on Southampton

Raheem Sterling is looking to add to his best-ever goal-scoring tally as Manchester City attempt to improve on their own record-breaking Premier League start.

Pep Guardiola's dazzling side host Southampton on Wednesday having already accumulated an unprecedented 37 points from their opening 13 games.

Sterling was the key man in Sunday's 2-1 comeback win at Huddersfield Town, winning a penalty that was converted by Sergio Aguero and then netting a late winner.

That took his goal total to 12 in all competitions, a figure the England winger has never previously managed over an entire campaign.

"I just get in the box and try to be as calm as possible," he said. "I set myself targets every season. Sometimes you don't match them, but that's the thing about football — you always have another year to try again. I can't tell you the target because I don't want to get slated (criticised) for it! I always set myself a realistic target, but high standards as well and hopefully I can match them this year. I am just really happy to be working in such a fantastic team."